Pandemonium broke out at the weekend in Lagos after operatives attached to the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA) stormed some dreaded areas in Lagos Island where substances suspected to be Indian hemp are freely sold and consumed.

At the end of the sting operation, the operatives who were assisted by some policemen, led by the Area A’ commander, ACP Monday Agbonika, seized over 33 bags of Indian hemp and arrested 48 suspects.

Sources said the raid, which was first of its kind in the state, came as a rude shock to residents who saw the drug peddlers and users in the areas as untouchable. The suspects and the seized drugs have since been handed over to the Lagos task force on Environment and Special Offences for further investigation and prosecution.

A statement signed by the agency’s public affairs officer, Mr. Afolabi Olawale, said the raid was carried out at Obalende and Adeniji Adele areas following an intelligence tip-off.

According to the statement yesterday, “LNSA on Friday embarked on a twelve hour sting raid across Patey Street, Obalende, Adeniji-Adele under bridge following intelligence report that Indian hemp and some hard drugs were being traded by the area boys freely unchecked.

“The raid was first of its kind in the history of Lagos because those areas are being referred to as a no-go area for security operatives. But operatives of the LNSC were able to achieve this through good intelligence report and planning. At the end of the operation, 33 bags of Indian hemps were seized while 48 suspects between the ages of 20 and 50 were arrested.”